
Napoleon Prestige 500
Professional-grade gas grill featuring infrared technology and premium stainless steel construction.
Reviewed by Jennifer Park • November 12, 2025
Our Review
The Napoleon Prestige 500 elevates backyard grilling to professional standards with its sophisticated infrared burner system and meticulous attention to detail. This grill represents Napoleon's commitment to innovation, combining cutting-edge technology with robust construction that will serve dedicated grillers for decades. The standout feature is the infrared rear burner system, capable of reaching temperatures exceeding 1,800°F for steakhouse-quality searing. The wave cooking grids are a Napoleon signature—their unique design creates distinctive sear marks while minimizing flare-ups by vaporizing drippings before they reach the burners. The four main stainless steel burners deliver 48,000 BTUs of precisely controlled heat across the 500 square inch primary cooking area. During extensive testing, we were impressed by the grill's ability to maintain consistent temperatures across all zones, even during extended cooking sessions. The illuminated control knobs add both functionality and aesthetic appeal for evening grilling. The infrared side burner proved invaluable for high-heat searing and wok cooking. Build quality is exceptional, with heavy-gauge stainless steel construction that feels substantial and built to last.
Pros
- •Infrared rear burner reaches 1,800°F for professional searing
- •Wave cooking grids create distinctive marks and reduce flare-ups
- •48,000 BTU output with precise temperature control
- •Illuminated control knobs for evening grilling convenience
- •Premium stainless steel construction throughout
- •Lifetime warranty on infrared burners
Cons
- •Premium price point reflects professional-grade features
- •Substantial weight (over 200 lbs) requires permanent placement
- •Infrared burners require learning curve for optimal use
- •Stainless steel surfaces need regular maintenance
Specifications
- Primary Cooking Area
- 500 sq in
- Total Cooking Area
- 760 sq in with warming rack
- Main Burners
- 4 stainless steel tube burners
- Infrared Burners
- Rear rotisserie + side burner
- Total BTU Output
- 48,000 main + 18,000 infrared
- Material
- 304 stainless steel construction
- Cooking Grids
- Stainless steel wave design
- Warranty
- Lifetime on infrared burners, 15 years on other components
Our Testing Process
We conducted rigorous testing over three months with focus on infrared burner performance, temperature consistency, and build quality. Testing included high-heat searing of steaks, low-and-slow cooking of chicken, rotisserie cooking of whole birds, and multi-zone cooking scenarios. We measured temperature distribution using infrared thermography and evaluated the effectiveness of the wave cooking grids in preventing flare-ups. Material durability and weather resistance were assessed through exposure to various outdoor conditions.